Trump Administration's Federal Workforce Cuts: Lasting Impact on Employees. The chaotic restructuring of the federal workforce under the Trump administration, dubbed "streamlining," left many former employees facing career upheaval and lasting consequences. This in-depth report examines the experiences of six former federal workers, exploring their career transitions, advice for others, and the long-term effects of this controversial cost-cutting initiative. Learn about the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency's actions and the lasting uncertainty it created
Trump Administration's Cost-Cutting Initiative: Chaos, Court Battles, and the Fallout. The Trump administration's effort to streamline the federal government, eliminate unnecessary programs, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency through its controversial cost-cutting initiative resulted in chaotic rollouts, weekend emails, legal battles, and widespread uncertainty. Early months were marked by confusing directives and the impact on federal employees is still being felt
Six months after the controversial federal workforce restructuring initiative—and a Supreme Court ruling enabling further firings—former federal employees reflect on their experiences, career transitions, and advice for others navigating similar situations. This follows the chaotic initial rollout marked by lawsuits, weekend email directives, and uncertainty. Their stories reveal the lasting impact of this cost-cutting effort
Former NOAA employee Tom Di Liberto reflects on his time in federal service, stating, "It's always going to be part of who I am, regardless of future jobs. I'll always be known as that, part of that group." His experience highlights the lasting impact of the Trump administration's federal workforce restructuring
Six former federal employees share their experiences, advice, and career transitions after leaving government service following recent workforce restructuring. Learn about their post-government life and insights on navigating career changes after a tumultuous period of federal reform
Egan Reich, a 45-year-old former Department of Labor employee, joined the agency in 2010. His tenure included diverse roles, culminating in his position as Director of Media and Editorial Services. His experience offers valuable insight into the impact of recent federal workforce restructuring
Under the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiative, federal worker experiences shifted dramatically. While Trump's first term saw employees largely focused on their core duties (grants, policy, enforcement), his second term brought a stark change. Press inquiries increasingly centered on internal matters like DOGE, HR, and IT issues, reflecting a climate of uncertainty and workforce reduction. This shift created a paranoid and alienating work environment for many federal employees, leading some, like former Department of Labor employee Egan Reich, to accept early resignation offers
The Trump administration's 2020 federal workforce overhaul created a chaotic and unsettling environment. One former Department of Labor employee describes the experience as "strange, paranoid, and alienating," noting a clear effort to remove staff as new appointees arrived and the administration's controversial DOGE initiative gained traction. This led to a sense of uncertainty and ultimately, his resignation
Facing federal workforce restructuring under the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiative, Egan Reich, a 45-year-old Department of Labor veteran, accepted a deferred resignation offer in April 20XX. This allowed him to receive continued pay through the fall while transitioning from his role as Director of Media and Editorial Services, a position he held since 2010. He stated, "There was just no way I was going to make it through four years of this
After a tumultuous period of federal workforce restructuring, Egan Reich, a former Department of Labor communications director, is actively seeking new opportunities. Currently completing a TV pilot with his brother and prioritizing family time, he's pursuing diverse communications roles, having applied for over 25 positions. He remains focused and determined, proactively navigating his job search with resilience
Facing unexpected federal job loss, I'm navigating the anxieties of mortgage payments and the job search. My priority is finding work that allows me to maintain a strong presence in my daughter's life
Despite a seemingly unchanged routine – consistent wake-up and bedtime, unchanged school drop-offs and pickups – his disorientation stems from a deeper, existential source
More than a career change, it was a fundamental shift in perspective. This wasn't just about my job; something profoundly broke. The impact was far greater than I ever anticipated
Carrigan joined the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in December 2024 as a remote HR specialist
Military spouse facing relocation? Discover why federal government jobs offer crucial career flexibility, including remote work options, making them ideal for military families navigating cross-country moves
She started working at OPM on December 16, and was fired less than two months later on a mass video call.
“I miss my job and the remote work ability to allow me continued employment through my military spouse relocation,” Carrigan said.
Carrigan said she refused deferred resignation both times it was offered, and she’s pursuing an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board in a last-ditch attempt to regain her federal employment.
“I do want to return, but I would have significant moral issues serving under this administration,” she said. Barring a return to the federal government, she said, “I’m hoping to find something in my local city government or school district.”
Brittin started at NOAA in 2023. She coordinated with the agency’s private and public sector stakeholders.
Brittin was first fired from NOAA on February 27, reinstated, and fired again on April 10.
“Losing my job at NOAA was more than a career setback — it was emotionally exhausting and deeply disorienting,” Brittin said. “I poured myself into the mission, only to be abruptly cut out.”
Getting fired as a probationary employee was a challenge; Brittin said she didn’t have any chance to defend her record.
Brittin said she’s applied to dozens of jobs, including in the private sector, and hopes to stay in communications at a mission-driven organization, but it’s been hard to land anything with so many “highly qualified candidates” on the market.
Ideally, she’d stay at a science-based organization, but is open to other opportunities. Brittin sees her job in the federal workforce as an “asset,” in part because she mastered in-demand skills: “Navigating complexity, staying mission-focused, working under pressure, adapting to change.”
For now, she’s “hanging on” financially, and her husband has a secure job that’s keeping them afloat. She’s tried to stay busy by taking online courses, volunteering to help friends and startups, and networking.
“Knowing others in the same boat as me has helped me feel not so alone,” she said.
Di Liberto started at NOAA in 2023. He worked in public affairs and was a climate spokesperson.
After being fired as a probationary employee in February, Di Liberto said he was lucky to find work as a media director at a nonprofit climate organization. But getting there wasn’t easy, and he knows many others are still grinding through the job hunt.
He said former federal workers should remember being fired doesn’t reflect their worth and they shouldn’t be afraid to discuss the reductions in force with potential employers.
“It was also a bit weird during the interview process when asked to describe yourself and why you want this job. I did not have plans of getting a new job,” he said. He said he made sure to emphasize his primary mission is addressing climate change.
His job search began in February, and he started his new job in early June. He spent frugally and leaned on his wife’s income to support their family. During those months, he cooked more and cut back on takeout; he also prioritized his mental health with walks and Legos.
The private sector has been an adjustment, he said. It’s been odd, for example, to work with fewer people and be able to upgrade software quickly instead of over a few months. Di Liberto also estimated that the NGO jobs he was looking at paid between 20% and 40% less than his role at NOAA.
He’s reminded of his past life living in DC, where he encounters others who were also let go from government jobs. Di Liberto’s first grader recently brought up his father’s job loss in school, where it led to a class-wide conversation, he said.
Kamens started at USDS in 2023. He was a software engineer and was detailed to a cybersecurity role at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Kamens was fired from the US Digital Service — now the US DOGE Service — in February, and he landed a new job in March working remotely for a private-sector company based in Australia. He said that he’s fortunate to be getting a paycheck, but the slashing of the federal workforce continues to weigh him down.
“In micro, I have a job, I’m getting paid to work, I can support my family. But in macro, the whole world is burning,” Kamens said. He added that it’s difficult to live his normal life “and continue to work in a system that in many ways is disintegrating around you.”
He said that he’s “minimally engaged” with other colleagues who left the federal workforce because it was taking a toll on his mental health. He said public servants who are still employed with the federal government face challenges under the continued influence of DOGE.
“There is a really strong normalcy bias happening,” Kamens said. “In order for them to continue to function, they have to believe that this is just another administration and it will be fine after the midterms or 2028.”
Nukuna started at USDS in 2022. She advised on and implemented domestic policy, working across agencies on funding, innovation, and automation projects.
Nukuna never saw herself working for a nonprofit. But that’s where she landed after she was fired from the USDS on February 14.
“I ran through most of my savings to weather that time,” Nukuna said. “Luckily I was able to get a job but I did have some financial hardship and strain over that time, especially because it was just unexpected.”
Her government job paid a lot less than private sector positions she’d held before, so she was in the red since taking her job at USDS. Her spending didn’t drastically change after getting fired, since it was already carefully calculated.
Nukuna began to look for jobs outside the government after the election. Some of her work at USDS was related to immigration, and she thought she might be impacted by future job cuts. She said she applied to 85 jobs, mainly in the tech and AI spaces, and “got a bajillion rejections” before landing her current role at an education nonprofit a month after her firing.
Generally, Nukuna tried to use her past government work to her advantage during the job search, and said some interviewers asked if she could work with people she disagreed with politically.
“Luckily, because I started earlier, I had some leads already and people that I’ve been talking to, and I just went on high drive once I got fired,” she said. “There was a period where I was doing like five interviews a week and all day exercises.”
She said she does mental health check-ins with friends who are still working for the federal government. Nukuna said she likely would have left her USDS role voluntarily due to the mental toll it was taking on her.
Although she had previously worked in the private sector, she chose the nonprofit route this time because she was “really drawn to the mission” and the people.
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